And current students were enthralled by stories from that era when two former pupils dropped by for a visit.

Lena Nelson (Hodgkin) started at Mitta Mitta Primary school in 1934 and Flora Sebastian (Scales) in 1932.

Their visit on Friday, May 17, was part of the school's 150^th anniversary celebrations this year. They answered questions from students about the school and life in that era and stories about riding to school on horseback ensued.

The ladies gave them an example of writing in script and spoke of learning to write on slates and using ink pens dipped in ink wells.

"We heard that the school was very cold in winter with just a fireplace in each classroom that only just managed to heat the area close to it. Lena told us a story of climbing out a window, in what is now the library, to escape a detention where she was locked in the school alone at the tender age of eight," principal Michael McBrien said.

Both ladies said their fathers had also attended the school. Flora has three descendants currently attending the school, which represents six generations of continuous attendance at the school.

In October 1869, the school started in a rented house in the township known as Snowy Creek. The School was named Junction, Snowy Creek No 887.